Is Montmorillonite safe in cosmetics?
Montmorillonite has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Montmorillonite
Also known as: Albagel Premium USP 4444, Bentonite 2073, Bentonite magma, Colloidal clay, EINECS 215-108-5 (+12 more)
INCI: MONTMORILLONITE
Montmorillonite (CAS 1302-78-9) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Rheology modifier, thickener, suspending agent, absorbent. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted; GHS signal word DANGER. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 1302-78-9 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Rheology modifier, thickener, suspending agent, absorbent
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Not GRAS as cosmetic ingredient; CIR (March 2023) concludes safe in current practices of use and concentration except in products that may be incidentally inhaled. Related bentonite is GRAS as food additive (21 CFR 184.1155). Not approved as colorant in US cosmetics. No OTC drug status; kaolin (related clay) approved as skin protectant under 21 CFR 347.10.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Montmorillonite.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
CancerHealth haz
Hazard Statements
Causes damage to the lungs through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is mildly irritating to the eyes and skin.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance may have effects on the lungs. This may result in fibrosis (see ICSC 0808).
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.
EU CosIng Annex Listing
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Annex IV — Permitted Colorants
Product type: White
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
SA Saudi SFDA (IV - Colorants)
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
India: Permitted Colorant
Additional Ingredient Properties
7 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "1318-93-0", "anti_acne_mechanism": "sebum_regulation", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "1", "acne_type_efficacy": "non_inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "20-35", "prescription_required_usa": "No", "otc_drug_monograph_category": "No", "max_otc_concentration_pct": "No limit", "japan_quasi_drug_anti_acne": "No", "korea_functional_cosmetic_acne": "No", "eu_cosmetic_restric…
anti_pollution
{"cas_number": "1318-93-0", "ingredient_class": "anti_pollution/heavy_metal_chelator", "primary_mechanism": "chelation", "pollution_types_targeted": "PM2_5/heavy_metals", "IR_A_protection": "no", "visible_light_protection": "no", "digital_screen_protection_claim": "no", "PAH_neutralization": "no", "ozone_protection": "no", "mitochondrial_protection": "no", "Nrf2_activation": "no", "AhR_pathway_mod…
deodorant
{"cas_number": "1318-93-0", "ingredient_class": "sweat_absorber", "mechanism_of_action": "odor_absorption", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "8-12", "odor_reduction_pct": "40-60", "bacteriostatic": "no", "bactericidal": "no", "microbiome_impact": "neutral", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "varies by ingredient", "MIC_value_if_antimicrobial": "varies", "…
mineral_clay
{"cas_number": "1318-93-0", "ingredient_class": "montmorillonite", "chemical_formula": "(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2", "mineral_origin": "natural", "particle_size_range_um": "0.5-10", "surface_area_m2_per_g": "30-100", "crystal_structure": "monoclinic", "color_appearance": "cream/gray/green", "opacity": "translucent", "refractive_index": "1.52", "oil_absorption_g_per_100g": "50-100", "water_abso…
pediatric_safety
{"safe_for_newborn_0_6m": "yes", "safe_for_infant_6_12m": "yes", "safe_for_toddler_1_3y": "yes", "safe_for_child_3_12y": "yes", "safe_for_teen_12_18y": "yes", "pediatric_max_concentration_pct": "10.0", "adult_max_concentration_pct": "10.0", "pediatric_dermal_absorption_factor": "minimal", "oral_ingestion_risk": "low", "respiratory_risk_pediatric": "low", "diaper_area_safe": "yes", "pediatric_aller…
regulatory
{"eu_status": "allowed", "us_status": "allowed"}
rheology
{"cas_number": "1318-93-0", "rheology_modifier_type": "Inorganic - Smectite Clay", "thickening_mechanism": "Particle swelling and platelet stacking", "viscosity_increase_factor": "1800-9000x", "brookfield_viscosity_typical_cps": "3000-18000", "shear_thinning_behavior": "Yes", "thixotropic": "Excellent", "yield_stress_pa": "8-30", "flow_curve_type": "Pseudoplastic with thixotropy", "optimal_ph_rang…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Absorbent
Defoamer
Dispersing agent
Emulsifier
Filler
Flow promoter
Food preservative
Fragrance
Opacifer
Oxidizing agent
Regulatory List Membership (4)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Montmorillonite.
Regulatory Flags
eu-unrestricted
cir-approved
sccs-opinion
colorant
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
Albagel Premium USP 4444
Bentonite 2073
Bentonite magma
Colloidal clay
EINECS 215-108-5
Imvite I.G.B.A
Magbond
Panther creek bentonite
Southern bentonite
Tixoton
Volcaly bentonite BC
Aquagel
Bengel A
Bengel FW
Bengel HVP
Bentonite, calcian-sodian
UNII-A3N5ZCN45C
Chemical Function
Defoamer
Absorbent
Regulatory Lists
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
Europe; Personal care - hair styling and care - shampoo-dandruff
Europe; Personal care - hair styling and care - shampoo-dandruff
Europe; Personal care - hair styling and care - shampoo-dandruff
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montmorillonite allowed in the EU?
Montmorillonite EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Montmorillonite do in cosmetics?
Montmorillonite functions as: Rheology modifier, thickener, suspending agent, absorbent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 1302-78-9.
Is Montmorillonite classified as hazardous under GHS?
Montmorillonite carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Causes damage to the lungs through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.
Compliance Tools
Check Montmorillonite compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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(APPLE/CITRUS JUNOS/LENTIL/PEAR/PUMPKIN/STRAWBERRY/TOMATO FRUIT)/CORN KERNEL/(ARCTIUM LAPPA/BRASSICA OLERACEA ACEPHALA/CABBAGE/CAMELLIA SINENSIS/MORINGA OLEIFERA/RADISH/SPINACH LEAF)/(SORGHUM BICOLOR LEAF/STEM)/OAT MEAL/POTATO PULP/(CARROT/NELUMBO NUCIFERA/RADISH/WILD YAM ROOT)/(AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS/CASHEW/CICER ARIETINUM/COIX LACRYMA-JOBI MA-YUEN /MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA/PHASEOLUS ANGULARIS/PISTACIA VERA/RHYNCHOSIA NULUBILIS/RICE/SESAME/SETARIA ITALICA/SOYBEAN/SWEET ALMOND/WHEAT SEED)/HORDEUM VULGARE SPROUT/CYPERUS ESCULENTUS TUBER/ARTEMISIA PRINCEPS/BROCCOLI/CHENOPODIUM QUINOA/ENTEROMORPHA COMPRESSA/HORDEUM VULGARE/IPOMOEA BATATAS/LAMINARIA JAPONICA/LENTINUS EDODES/PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS/PORPHYRA TENERA/UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA EXTRACT
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